Wood has the edge this time

MESA, Ariz. -- A few years ago, this left-handed hitting outfielder from Japan swung at a pitch from Cubs fireballer Kerry Wood and fouled it sideways, drawing laughter from the crowd and momentary skepticism from some baseball people in attendance.

That hitter's name was Ichiro Suzuki, and the record shows he recovered nicely from that one pitch.

Similarly, Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome had trouble handling Wood's fastball during live batting practice Saturday. Fukudome fouled one straight left and into the batting cage.

All hitters had trouble with Wood on Saturday. During the first day or two of live batting practice, pitchers tell the hitters what kind of pitch is coming. On Saturday, the hitters were on their own, and it showed.

"If I were Fukudome, I wouldn't be too frustrated," manager Lou Piniella said. "When you face a guy early in the spring who's throwing as well as Wood is, you work on your eyesight. You work on learning the strike zone and forget the swinging."